FORT RIVER READS!!!

See below for more pictures of the event

THANK YOU


to the many volunteers and guests who made last week's Book Fair and Thursday evening's FORT RIVER READS: Book Event & Community Marketplace a huge success! The Scholastic Book Fair generated a school record of over $8000 in sales. As a result, Scholastic will provide our library with at least $4000 worth of credit towards books and other educational materials!

A round of applause goes to Diane Caraker, Carol Slaughter, and Sue Borden for all their hard work at the Book Fair. Many thanks also go to volunteers: Jon Kurtz, Nancy Stewart, Becky Schneider, Sarah Thompson, Kathy Niedzielski, Frieda Alker, Mark Dooley, Jean MacKimmie, Libby Stanforth, Stacy Simonson, Deb Leonard, Kathryn Mahony, Myles Cunningham, Devaiah Vytla, Shubha Tewari, Becky, Elizabeth & Laura Caraker.

We are proud that our generous Fort River community donated over $400 in teacher requested books. The PGO is also pleased to have provided over $500 in scholarships to our students.



Click on picture for larger view.


THANK YOU to the Thursday evening team!

Shari Abbott, for coordinating the Community Marketplace.
Rolf and Cindy Nelson, for making the most delicious chili and serving it up with a smile!
(Keep an eye out for the Nelsons' new restaurant, the Lumberyard, coming soon to Amherst.)
Kathy Brennan, for cooking up the veggie chili.
Erin Cherewatti, for coordinating and staffing the bake sale.
Ali Wicks-Lim and Maria Polino, for brewing and selling Fort River Roasters (Dean's Beans).
Atkins Farms and Libby Stanforth, for donating the Atkins Apple Cider.
Peter Wolfwood, for managing the Winter Sports Swap.
Chris Felton, Becky Michaels, Kathleen Traphagen, and Alana Atkinson, for helping out where needed!

Thank you also to our Community Marketplace vendors:
Catalina and Ines Arrubla
Diane Caraker
Karen Cardozo
Todd Felton
Rebecca Fricke
Rebecca Guay
Emma Knight
Pam Lewis
Lisa Oram
Lisa Pope
Judy Stern


Many thanks to our vendors for contributions made to the PGO Library fund on this evening!

This event was great fun and we look forward to doing it again next year!

Pam Rietkerk, PGO President & Michele Spirko, PGO Vice President

Lost and Found: This is Your Last Chance!

Your last chance to claim lost and found items! Lost and found items will be on a table in the lobby through Dec. 21st. Any unclaimed items will be given to Survival Center.

Questions? Contact Sue Cairn at scairn@verizon.net.

Multi-Arts Winter Program Registration

MULTI-ARTS open registration for its WINTER PROGRAMS 2011

ART

WEDNESDAYS • 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ten Classes: $120
Munson Library, South Amherst

FRIDAYS • 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ten Classes: $120
Fort River Elementary School, Amherst


FASHION DESIGN

WEDNESDAYS • 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ten Classes: $120
Munson Library, South Amherst

FRIDAYS • 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ten Classes: $120
Fort River Elementary School, Amherst

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

THEATER • FASHION DESIGN • ART • CREATIVE WRI TI NG

WEDNESDAYS • 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
January 5 through March 16
$270
Munson Library, South Amherst

FRIDAYS • 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
January 7 through March 18
$240
Fort River Elementary School, Amherst

To register contact Catalina at info@multi-arts.org or call 413-5847951.

Please note: Not sponsored by the FR PGO.

AEF Holiday Appreciation Gifts in Honor of Special Teachers and Staff

Join the Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) in celebrating our teachers and supporting our schools!

Click here or check your child’s backpack for the flyer on how to make a holiday gift to AEF and honor teachers and/or staff. Your honored teacher or staff person will get a personalized gift card letting them know of your thoughtfulness. General end of year contributions to AEF are also welcome and appreciated! Last year, AEF gave over $40,000 to the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools to support teachers in all 8 schools to enhance the educational experience of our children. For more information, visit www.amhersteducationfoundation.org.

Nominations Invited for 1st Annual Norma Jean Anderson Award

Members of the Amherst elementary and regional school community are invited to nominate a teacher, administrator or staff member of the schools for the new Dr. Norma Jean Anderson Award. The award will recognize a school employee who “promotes the ideals of a just and respectful community built on compassionate relationships.” The award is presented as “part of the on-going work to remove systemic privilege based on race and class in our schools”. It is presented by RaDAR (Race and Discipline Action Rights), a local group that is committed to promoting social justice and excellence in the schools.

This is the first year of what will be an annual award. It will be presented at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in Amherst, January 15, 2011.

The late Dr. Norma Jean Anderson was a dean at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a leader in addressing issues of educational diversity, opportunity and access. She was instrumental in mentoring over 300 graduates from the School of Education. She was a long-time community advocate for justice and equity. She was a co-founder of the NAACP chapter in Amherst and of Hope Church in Amherst.

Nominations should be sent to RaDAR in care of Reynolds Winslow at: reynbaker@yahoo.com. They must be received by Noon, December 28th.

Those interested in making a nomination can obtain more information from Reynolds Winslow, Jackie Wolf (lwvahealthcare@yahoo.com), Russ Vernon-Jones (russvj@gmail.com), or at http://www.arhsparentcenter.org/norma-jean-anderson-award.

Amahl and the Night Visitors at Immanuel Lutheran Church

This is a family-friendly production which includes three Fort River students in the cast!

Zumba Fitness Class at Amherst Ballet

Zumba Fitness with Zulma Rivera

Parents need to exercise and have fun too!

Check out these two opportunities at Amherst Ballet.

Let's workout with Latin rhythms and flavor!!!

You don't even have to know how to dance,
Just move your body and follow my lead.
Currently I'm licensed to to teach and
I am waiting for YOU to join the class.
Every Class feels like a party!

Sunday 9:30 to 10:30 am
Starts Novemebr 21st.
Amherst Ballet Studios.
$5 per class and the 10th class is free!

For more information
Zulma Rivera Zuzumba75@gmail.com
or call 413-546-2059

Pilates with Catherine Fair: Director of Amherst Ballet.

There are only a few more classes left in this session. But why not try a great class.
Fridays 10:30 am to 11:45 am.   $10/class.
Call 549-1555 to register or stop by on you way out of Wildwood: 29 Strong Street.
Email info@amherstballet.org

Please note: this event is not sponsored by the Fort River PGO.

FORT RIVER READS!!!

On Thursday, December 9 from 6-8pm the PGO Presents:

FORT RIVER READS!!!!

Book Event & Community Marketplace

Your family is invited to an open house style evening featuring great books from Scholastic, music, homemade chili, pizza, baked goods, cider and coffee, and the opportunity to shop at a marketplace featuring FR businesses and artisans. (Chili and cornbread dinner $2, pizza slices $1, and baked goods for sale.)

This special event will include the Book Fair collection, as well as many new titles, popular book sets, and fun merchandise from Scholastic only available on this evening.

Marketplace vendors will include:

Lisa Pope, Pampered Chef consultant

Bedscape Design, Fiber art by Rebecca Fricke

Original Works by Multi-Arts

Judy Stern, Amigos de Los Niños con Bendicion

Lbaggies by Pam and Matt Lewis  

Todd Felton, travel writer and photographer


Rebecca Guay, professional artist of children’s books, graphic novels, and book covers

Show of Cards, a folk/rock/Dutch pop band selling their original CD “Leap Year”

Ellare Books, children’s books distributed by Diane Caraker

Our generous vendors will contribute a portion of sales to the Fort River Library.

And don't forget that the Winter Sports Swap takes place this evening (See below for more information).

Please join us for this new event celebrating literacy and community and raise money for our beloved Library.

Fort River Roasters by Deans Beans Order Form

The monthly orders for Dean's Beans are due Friday, December 10th. Please send your forms into school with your child or bring your orders to the PGO mailbox in the main office at school.

You can download the order form here:  Fort River Roasters Order Form.

Please note that an outdated link for the form has been inadvertently sent out in the calendar event email reminders. The correct form above has updated prices. Please be sure that the form you send in has coffee prices starting at $9.00 per pound. Thanks and sorry for the mix-up!

Fort River Winter Sports Swap

The annual Fort River Winter Sports Swap will take place from 6-8pm on the evening of Thursday, December 9 at the Book Event and Community Marketplace. Please bring your used winter/sports gear and clothing--coats, hats, gloves, boots, skates, ski equipment, etc. to Fort River anytime between 3-6pm. Everyone in the community is invited to come by after 6pm and take anything they need. This is a FREE exchange--you do not need to bring anything to participate in the Winter Sports Swap. This is a great way to clean out your winter clothing/equipment or stock up on gear for growing kids! Questions? Contact Peter Wood at cpwolfwood@hotmail.com.

Coffee with the Principal/Math Curriculum Discussion, Friday Dec. 10

Please join us for Coffee with the Principal at 8:30-9:30am in the cafeteria next Friday (Dec. 10th).

There will be an informal discussion of the elementary math curriculum with Pam Szczesny.

FORT RIVER READS!!!

On Thursday, December 9 from 6-8pm the PGO Presents:

FORT RIVER READS!!!!

Book Event & Community Marketplace

Your family is invited to an open house style evening featuring great books from Scholastic, music, homemade chili, pizza, baked goods, cider and coffee, and the opportunity to shop at a marketplace featuring FR businesses and artisans. (Chili and cornbread dinner $2, pizza slices $1, and baked goods for sale.)

This special event will include the Book Fair collection, as well as many new titles, popular book sets, and fun merchandise from Scholastic only available on this evening.

Marketplace vendors will include:

Lisa Pope, Pampered Chef consultant
Bedscape Design, Fiber art by Rebecca Fricke
Original Works by Multi-Arts
Judy Stern, Amigos de Los Niños con Bendicion
Lbaggies by Pam and Matt Lewis  
Todd Felton, travel writer and photographer

Rebecca Guay, professional artist of children’s books, graphic novels, and book covers
Show of Cards, a folk/rock/Dutch pop band selling their original CD “Leap Year”
Ellare Books, children’s books distributed by Diane Caraker

Our generous vendors will contribute a portion of sales to the Fort River Library.

And don't forget that the Winter Sports Swap takes place this evening (See below for more information).

Please join us for this new event celebrating literacy and community and raise money for our beloved Library.

To volunteer to work at the Book Fair on this evening, please click here and scroll down to Thursday evening to sign up for a shift.

To volunteer to bake for the bake sale, please click here. 

Scholastic Book Fair: Dec. 7-9.

Families are welcome to visit next week's Book Fair with their child’s class or send cash in an envelope or a check payable to Fort River PGO. If you send a check, please designate on the memo line a maximum purchase amount. Credit/debit cards are also accepted. 6.25% sales tax will be added to totals. Check out the Scholastic flyer that came home today and please know this is only a sampling of books that may be available at the Fair.

We want every child to go home with a book! Limited scholarships are available. Please contact guidance counselor Justin Gianesin at 362-1200 to request a scholarship. Scholarships are good for one book at a cost of $7.00 or less. If you would like to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund look for the collection jar at checkout.

Teacher book wish lists will be at the cashier’s table if you would like to purchase a book for a classroom. Teachers truly appreciate the generosity of our community!

Volunteers Still Needed
We still need a few volunteers for shifts during daytime classroom visits or during the evening Book Fair at our new FORT RIVER READS!!! Book Event & Community Marketplace.

Click here to see when your child's class will be visiting the book fair 

Click here to sign up to work at the book fair.

Fair Coordinators:

Diane Caraker (dianec711@comcast.net) 413-687-8333

Carol Slaughter (cslaughter143@aol.com) 413-253-9920

All profits from our Scholastic Book Fair directly support the Fort River Library! Every child at Fort River will benefit from your participation in this great community event!

FORT RIVER READS!!!

Winter Sports Swap During the FORT RIVER READS!!! Book Event and Community Marketplace

The annual Fort River Winter Sports Swap will take place from 6-8pm on the evening of Thursday, December 9 at the Book Event and Community Marketplace. Please bring your used winter/sports gear and clothing--coats, hats, gloves, boots, skates, ski equipment, etc. to Fort River anytime between 3-6pm. Everyone in the community is invited to come by after 6pm and take anything they need. This is a FREE exchange--you do not need to bring anything to participate in the Winter Sports Swap. This is a great way to clean out your winter clothing/equipment or stock up on gear for growing kids! Questions? Contact Peter Wood at cpwolfwood@hotmail.com.

Community Marketplace Vendors Wanted--It's Not Too Late!

We are still looking for vendors to take part in the FORT RIVER READS!!! Community Marketplace.

• Do you own a small business?
• Want to expand your market to the Fort River community?
• Are you an artist?
• Do you make/sell jewelry, pottery, photography or other crafts?

We want YOU to be a vendor at our Marketplace on December 9!

If you would like to have a table to sell your wares, please contact Shari Abbott at shariabbott@mac.com or 256-2353. This event is part of the FORT RIVER READS--Book Event and Community Marketplace on the evening of Thursday, December 9 celebrating the final days of the Scholastic Book Fair. See above for more information about this event.

Lost and Found: Look for your lost stuff during the Book Fair

All lost and found items not claimed by Dec. 10th will be donated to a local charity. Be sure to stop by and look for lost items during the Book Fair.

Questions? Sue Cairn 253-9148.

Latest Fort River Newsletter

Asst. Principal Susan Kennedy-Marx has posted the latest school newsletter (Dated Dec. 2) on the Fort River School website.


Please click here to check it out! 

Anti-Bullying Forums

En Espanol

Multi-Arts Monsters Exhibition

Monsters Exhibition Opening night

Monsters or no monsters? You decide!

Come and see Multi-Arts' scary exhibit of monster faces at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce: 28 Amity St. in Amherst.

Opening night: Thursday, December 2 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m or come any day from December 2nd through December 31st.

Madeline Clarkewright and Danny Martin from Fort River are two of the featured artists.

Hope to see you there.  http://www.multi-arts.org/

Please note: this event is not sponsored by the Fort River PGO. 

New Winter Farmers' Market at ARMS

ARMS Farmers Market opening this Saturday 12/4

Who: 25 local farmers and producers.
Where: Amherst Middle School, 170 Chestnut St., Amherst MA
What: A Brand New Winter Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Starts December 4th )*
Why: Because the market will be warm and cozy and have lots of great food!

I don’t know if you have heard, but there is an exciting new Winter
Farmers Market at the Amherst Middles School. The Grand Opening is this
Saturday, December 4th . There will be an unbelievable selection of
delicious local food. Over 25 farmers and food producers have joined
together to offer everything from beautiful baby salad greens and bok
choi to artisanal cheese, sweet and crunchy carrots, grass fed lamb,
pork and beef. The list is too big to fit on this page--Apex Orchard’s
famous apples (have you tried their Honey Crisp?!?), Sidehill Farm’s
luscious yogurt. El Jardin’s sour dough breads fresh out of the oven.
Atlas Farm, Stone Soup Farm, Red Fire Farm and Simple Gifts will have
their wonderful veggie selections. Winter Moon Roots with their carrots,
beets, and psychedelic watermelon radishes. Bug Hill Farm's Black
Currant Cordials.....And if it gets cold, Balky Farm has hats, gloves
and mittens knitted from their own sheep wool!

Because local food is always a cause for celebration, we are making it a
festive event with free music from Darlingside. There will be prepared
local delicacies served by The Turkish Kitchen, Tom Hidas' Curried
Veggies (formerly of Amber Waves Restaurant) and the Black Sheep Deli.
Live music too. Don’t miss it!!!

If you‘d like to sign up for the Winter Farmer’s Market newsletter
follow the link below. This will keep you up to date on special events
at the market, tasty new recipes, music and more. We will also let you
know about snow closings due through this list. We will never share your
name or this list with anybody else.

To find out about the Amherst Winter Market, just follow these 2 easy steps:

1) Go to: http://lists.amherstwintermarket.com/mailman/listinfo/patrons
and write your email address and name.

2) Once you have registered, you will get a confirmation email. Just hit
“Reply” and “Send” and you will receive market updates.

Thanks for joining us at the Amherst Winter Market…and for eating local
all year round!

Please note: This event is not sponsored by the Fort River PGO.

Boy Scouts ChristmasTree Sale

Please support the Boy Scouts' annual Christmas Tree sale at Kendrick Park in Amherst. The sale has started and will run through December 24th or until we run out of trees. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 4-8 PM, Saturday-Sunday 9-5 PM. This is our major yearly fundraiser and goes a long way towards supporting programs for Amherst Boy Scout Troops 500 and 504 and Hadley Troop 550. As always, we have very high quality trees (Fraser & Balsam fir from tree farms in Amherst and Vermont) at reasonable prices (6-8 ft trees are $35 and 8 ft-plus trees are $40). Wreaths are available as well ($11 for single variety, $15 for tri weave styles).

Note: This event is not sponsored by the Fort River PGO.